Why sustainability in food and agriculture is more important than ever
A farmhouse, in front of it a cow grazing in a pasture and somewhere a chicken clucks: This is the deceptive idyll that advertising and nostalgia have milled into our brains - and that we see in our minds when we think of agriculture. Of course, we all secretly know that this is not true. Factory farming, monocultures and long production routes are much more of a reality today than the farm in our heads. Actually, all over eight billion inhabitants of the earth should be cheap, regional and at bestbecome. At least that is the goal of the “Zero Hunger” project, which the UN is pushing forward until at least 2030. But how is that even possible? The technology company Dyson may have an idea.
Agriculture is the main reason for environmental destruction - that's why we have to do something
A look at the statistics shows that sustainability is urgently needed in food production: Eleven percent of global greenhouse gases come from agriculture. Especially factory farming forhas a devastating record when it comes to gas emissions and also water consumption.
The British journalist George Monbiot paints an even bleaker picture: In his book “Regenesis” he states that agriculture is the main reason for environmental destruction. Simply because arable land takes up 30 percent more living space than urban areas - and
Then the soil would be destroyed for a long time with herbivores and pesticides.
And in fact, a counter-movement to conventional animal husbandry and farming methods that is sustainable, innovative and tech-savvy has been developing for a few years:
- Fruit and vegetable farms that use waste heat from nearby factories
- Solar panels on barn roofs
- Free stalls for cattle with AI-automated milking machines
- CO₂-neutral animal feed and data-driven agriculture that relies on the economical use of water and resources
The main goal of this form of agricultural economy – “Agriculture 4.0” – is to use our world in a resource-saving manner and to implement livestock farming and farming in harmony with nature.
This is what we as consumers can do to contribute to sustainability
We can and should adapt our eating and food purchasing behavior to benefit the environment and humanity and make sustainability affordable for everyone. That you don't need strawberries from South America in winter? Hopefully clear. That meat should be eaten rarely and, above all, valued? Logo, right?! That food is not wasted? It's probably a matter of honor. Regionality, perhaps sometimes sacrifice and, above all, critical questions - this is how we can play our part in the change for the better through our purchasing and eating routine.
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This is what the future of farming looks like for Dyson
The tech company shows that the described “Agriculture 4.0” is not the brainchild of a few nerds, which is known, among other things, for its innovative vacuum cleaners,and air purifier is known. With his “Dyson Farms” in England, founder James Dyson proves that this alternative type of agricultural economy is possible – and that people and nature benefit from it.
The Brit sees his farms as another engineering project that wants to bridge the gap between past and future, knowledge and visions and has one goal: better, better-tasting, regional food for everyone. In addition to fruit, vegetables, grains, beef and lamb, the farms headquartered in Lincolnshire also produce sustainable biogas, which could theoretically supply ten thousand households in the area with electricity.
James Dyson's approaches are as old as agriculture itself: circular economy and biodiversity. In addition to wildflowers for, flocks of sheep for healthy soil, electricity and fertilizer from the farm's own fermenter, but technical know-how is also used here. Robotics and artificial intelligence work closely with knowledge from traditional agriculture.
This is how Dyson harvests strawberries in winter
The “Dyson strawberries” are an example of the success of this innovative mix of tradition and future.
“There is no better example of our approach than strawberries,” confirms Lucie Redwood, account manager at Dyson Farming. “We produce 1,200 tonnes of it every year in our huge 10-acre greenhouse in Lincolnshire.” The home of the sweet fruits is heated with biogas from the fermenter. This means you can grow strawberries even in colder months and not have to rely on unnecessarily long supply chains and the associated long transport routes. Dyson's own farm robots in the greenhouses irrigate the fruit with recycled rainwater, combat pests with UV light and insects - and last but not least, harvest the perfectly ripe strawberries, which are then sold in England, regardless of the actual growing season.
Dyson produces 1200 tonnes of strawberries per year.
This is what the largest agricultural business in the United Kingdom does with other fruit, vegetables and grains on 146 square kilometers of usable area: barley, wheat, rye, peas and potatoes are grown and harvested using technical skills and in harmony with nature in regenerative agriculture.
Sustainable agriculture for everyone
It's important to try things out and experiment, says James Dyson. This applies not only to his household and beauty tools, which have made the lives of many users better, but also to his understanding of agriculture and livestock farming. Dyson shows that sustainable, innovative and commercial farming – Agriculture 4.0 – is possible. And who knows, maybe one day there will be a curling iron made from grain waste...
